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Airman Killed During World War II Accounted For (Harth, W.)

November 13, 2017

Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. William H. Harth, Jr., killed during World War II, has now been accounted for.

In the summer of 1943, Harth was a bombardier assigned to the 329th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy), which was known as “The Traveling Circus.” He served on a B-24D aircraft, nicknamed “Hell’s Angels,” when he was participating in a historic mission, which was the first large-scale, low-altitude attack by U.S. heavy bomber aircraft on Ploesti, Romania, code-named Operation TIDAL WAVE. On Aug. 1, 1943, as Harth’s aircraft approached Ploesti, it was hit by German anti-aircraft fire. Harth was killed when the aircraft crashed.

Interment services are pending; more details will be released 7-10 days prior to scheduled funeral services.

Harth’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from the World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

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